Kathleen Ann Kilmer

Kathleen Ann McCarthy Kilmer, 79, passed away while in Hospice Care at Cape Cod Hospital November 28, 2023. Kathleen was born in Ossning NY Feb 5, 1944 she was the eldest daughter of the late Julia (Spillane) and Joseph J. McCarthy.

Kathleen graduated from St. Augustine Middle School, and from Ossning High School, class of ‘61 in Ossning N.Y. She graduated St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Yonkers, N.Y.

She married and moved to Danbury, and a few years later, to New Fairfield CT, to be close to her parents, who had moved from Ossning.

An involved stay at home mother for many years, she was a brownie leader, meals on wheels volunteer, active member of the democratic town committee, part time democratic registrar of voters and library board member.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Kathleen became the family photographer. Long before cell phone cameras, Kathleen would line up the extended family and hold them

in place for the perfect shot, often calling them back more than once to recreate the moment. Kathleen loved the beach and the water. During her summers before returning to work full time, Kathleen spent many summer days with her children at New Fairfield’s town beach on Candlewood Lake and at Lake Ceceebe in Ontario.

She returned to work full time as the office manager for Dr. George Lentini and graduated from Western CT State University. A mid-life cancer survivor, Kathleen was passionate about holistic medicine.

A devout Catholic, Kathleen was a parishioner, religious educator and lector at St Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield, CT.

She retired to Eastham, MA. Where she was a parishioner of our ladies of Lourdes, Wellfleet and Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Orleans. An avid walker, she loved the beach, gardening and traveling with the church group. She also volunteered with The Mustard Seed, a kitchen and food pantry in Wellfleet.

She is survived by her daughter, Claire Kilmer, granddaughter Teagan, of Madison, CT and her son, David Kilmer and grandson Derek and granddaughter Abigail of Eastham, MA. and a sister, Peggyann McCarthy Gioia; sister-in-law, Jackie McCarthy and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers: Joseph A. and Timothy J. McCarthy, and sister Sheila Barrett; Daughter-in-law, Suzanne Sherlock and Great Nephew, Timothy McCarthy.

Calling hours will be held at Nickerson’s funeral home, 77 Eldridge Park Way, Orleans MA on December 7, 9:30-10:30 followed by 11 am Mass at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Orleans. Burial will at Evergreen Cemetery, Eastham, MA